Vehicle registration, repair & dealing
Preparation of application documents for automobile transfer, mortgage, and license plate registration
When a used car is bought or sold, transfer registration must be completed within 15 days from the date of sale. If the deadline passes, automobile tax, administrative fines and liability for accidents remain with the previous registered owner. First check the documents the seller and the buyer must each prepare, and the order for handling a vehicle with a mortgage or lease.
Procedure
- Registration Difficulty Medium
The authority checks whether the statutory registration requirements, such as facilities, staff and capital, are met before issuing a registration certificate. Registration can be refused if the requirements are not met.
We prepare documents for vehicle sale and transfer registration, mortgage establishment/cancellation/transfer/change, license plate reissuance, and registration number change. We distinguish between preparing for self-submission and submitting in person at the the Seoul metropolitan area government office.
Scope & fee
- Private vehicle sale transfer — online-eligible case
- We will prepare transfer registration application documents by comparing the registration book, sale, and insurance data of 1 vehicle sold between individuals. Other reasons, such as corporations and inheritance, and sale negotiations and vehicle driving are separate. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Private vehicle sale transfer — one filing visit in the Seoul metropolitan area
- We will prepare transfer registration application documents by comparing the registration book, sale, and insurance data of 1 vehicle sold between individuals. Other reasons, such as corporations and inheritance, and sale negotiations and vehicle driving are separate. 1 office visit is included.
- Official fee source ↗
- Prepare vehicle transfer-registration documents for applicant's own filing
- We will review the identity, sale, and insurance data of 1 vehicle registered for sale and transfer by a foreigner and prepare transfer application, transfer certificate, delegation, attached documents, and signature guidance. It does not include signing new insurance contracts, negotiating sales, or driving a vehicle. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Vehicle transfer registration with 1 in-person filing in the Seoul metropolitan area
- We will review the identity, sale, and insurance data of 1 vehicle registered for sale and transfer by a foreigner and prepare transfer application, transfer certificate, delegation, attached documents, and signature guidance. It does not include signing new insurance contracts, negotiating sales, or driving a vehicle. 1 office visit is included.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage registration/document preparation/submission in person
- We will prepare an application and attached documents with 1 vehicle, 1 creditor and 1 debtor each, agreed-upon contract, bond amount, seal, and ownership data. It does not include new loan agreements, financial intermediation, or collection. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Registration of car mortgage and submission in the Seoul metropolitan area visit once
- We will prepare an application and attached documents with 1 vehicle, 1 creditor and 1 debtor each, agreed-upon contract, bond amount, seal, and ownership data. It does not include new loan agreements, financial intermediation, or collection. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage cancellation registration/document preparation/submission in person
- We will prepare cancellation application documents using 1 vehicle, 1 mortgage, cancellation certificate, existing contract, loss confirmation, and seal information. It does not include credit disputes and creditor tracking. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage cancellation registration/Submit once in the Seoul metropolitan area visit
- We will prepare cancellation application documents using 1 vehicle, 1 mortgage, cancellation certificate, existing contract, loss confirmation, and seal information. It does not include credit disputes and creditor tracking. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage transfer registration/document preparation/submission in person
- We will prepare transfer application documents using an agreed upon bond transfer contract for 1 vehicle and 1 mortgage and new and old holder data. It does not include transfer negotiations and design of new bond agreements. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage transfer registration and submission in the Seoul metropolitan area once
- We will prepare transfer application documents using an agreed upon bond transfer contract for 1 vehicle and 1 mortgage and new and old holder data. It does not include transfer negotiations and design of new bond agreements. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage change registration/document preparation/submission in person
- We will fill out the change application form with the agreed changes for 1 vehicle and 1 mortgage and new and old proof. Necessary interested party consent and judgment data are provided, and the dispute process for obtaining them is separate. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Car mortgage change registration/Submit once in the Seoul metropolitan area visit
- We will fill out the change application form with the agreed changes for 1 vehicle and 1 mortgage and new and old proof. Necessary interested party consent and judgment data are provided, and the dispute process for obtaining them is separate. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
- Reissuance of car license plate/document preparation/submission in person
- We will fill out the application documents by checking the reason for reissue, such as damage to 1 vehicle, and the license plate and owner data to be returned. Loss that requires a number change is a separate route and does not include actual production, attachment or removal, or vehicle driving. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Re-issuance of car license plate, 1 visit to the Seoul metropolitan area
- We will fill out the application documents by checking the reason for reissue, such as damage to 1 vehicle, and the license plate and owner data to be returned. Loss that requires a number change is a separate route and does not include actual production, attachment or removal, or vehicle driving. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
- Change vehicle registration number, issue license plate, fill out documents/submit in person
- We will fill out the application form with the reason for changing the legal number of 1 vehicle and owner information. The necessary police loss/theft certificate will be provided, but it does not include making or removing the actual license plate or driving the vehicle. We will provide you with documents and application instructions so you can submit them. It does not include in-office submissions.
- Official fee source ↗
- Change of vehicle registration number, issuance of license plate, visit the Seoul metropolitan area once and submit
- We will fill out the application form with the reason for changing the legal number of 1 vehicle and owner information. The necessary police loss/theft certificate will be provided, but it does not include making or removing the actual license plate or driving the vehicle. We include 1-time submission by visiting the the Seoul metropolitan area jurisdictional registration office.
- Official fee source ↗
1. Check the deadline — 15 days from the date of sale
Apply for transfer registration at the competent vehicle registration office or the vehicle registration counter of the district office within 15 days from the date of sale (transfer). If the deadline is missed without a justifiable reason, a penalty is imposed (100,000 won for a delay of up to 10 days, plus 10,000 won per day from the 11th day, and 500,000 won for a delay of 50 days or more). During that period, automobile tax, tolls and liability for accidents fall on the seller, whose name remains on the registration.
2. Settle any mortgage, lease or installment loan first
Transfer registration itself is possible even if a mortgage (or maximum-amount mortgage) remains on the motor vehicle register. However, a mortgage does not disappear when the owner changes, so the buyer takes it on. If a lease or installment loan remains, it is safer to obtain the finance company's consent and cancel the mortgage before the transaction. Even after the installments are fully repaid, the mortgage is not cancelled automatically; the cancellation documents must be obtained separately.
3. Prepare the documents and apply for transfer registration
Gather the seller's and the buyer's documents, fill in the application form and submit it. Acquisition tax is paid and the required bonds are purchased at the same time, and ownership changes when the new registration certificate is issued. Most applications are processed on the day of submission.
4. Start insurance on the day of transfer
Arrange for automobile insurance in the new owner's name to start on the day of transfer. A gap of even one day means driving without insurance. When an individual takes over a long-term rental car (license plates marked with the Korean syllables 'ha', 'heo' or 'ho'), the plates must be replaced with ordinary plates.
Required documents
- Seller: vehicle registration certificate, ID, certificate of transfer, certificate of seal impression issued for vehicle sale, proof of automobile tax payment (only when the registration office cannot confirm it electronically)
- Buyer: ID, certificate of liability insurance coverage, certificate of transfer, application for transfer registration
- Mortgaged or leased vehicle: finance company's consent and mortgage cancellation documents (to be handled first)
- Transfer by inheritance: family relation certificate and documents showing the heirs' relationship (additional documents checked case by case)
Fees
The basic scope is one simple sale between individuals for one vehicle. Electronic filing and one filing visit in Incheon are alternative service types. Inheritance, corporate or group vehicles, mortgage or seizure issues and number-plate changes require a separate scope. Taxes, bonds and official charges are separate.
Legal basis and review date
- Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 12
- Motor Vehicle Registration Decree, Article 26
- Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 9
- Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 80
- Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 86
- Enforcement Decree of the Motor Vehicle Management Act, attached Table 3
- Local Tax Act, Article 132
- Enforcement Rule of the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, Article 33
Check these first
- Once 15 days have passed from the date of sale, liability for the penalty and taxes increases. Check the deadline first.
- For a vehicle with a remaining mortgage or seizure, the burden passes to the buyer even if the transfer is registered, and a leased vehicle requires the finance company's consent. Settle the cancellation and consent first.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the ownership transfer goes past the 15-day deadline?
I have paid off the installments. Why do I still have to cancel the mortgage?
Can an individual take over a long-term rental car?
Can an administrative agent handle the transfer registration for me?
Contact us
Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.
📍 2697, 26F POSCO Tower-Songdo, 165 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea · 📞 010-3374-2687 · 🌐 hwangadmin.com
This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.